At 20 years old, I am pursuing my degree as a legal assistant at Yakima Valley College, with the goal of interning at a law firm and eventually building my career in Seattle. Community college has been a strong first step for me—it’s close to home, affordable compared to other options, and it allowed me to explore different majors until I found the right fit.
But even with those advantages, cost is still a heavy burden. Right now, my biggest stress is that my mom does not want to sign my financial aid for next year. Without that support, I may lose access to the resources I need to continue my studies. For many students, this is what makes college feel impossible. Free community and technical college would take away that uncertainty. It would allow students—especially those still finding their career path—to take the first two years of classes without fear of debt, and give us the time to decide if we want to pursue a four-year degree.
I’ve also seen how important student supports are, but they are not well publicized. I only learned about benefit hubs and mental health resources by chance, and I know many students who never hear about them at all. If programs like these were promoted more strongly, they would help students stay in school instead of dropping out under the weight of financial and personal stress.
Free college, combined with stronger outreach about existing supports, would give students like me the chance to focus on our studies, graduate, and move into careers that strengthen Washington’s workforce.